NEW PROGRAM FOR SUSPENDED YOUTH

Local Youth Suspended From School For Drug Use Have A New Place To Turn.

The school district, Alouette Addictions Services and Fraser Health
have teamed up to provide a three-day program to help youth and
determine from them where substance abuse trouble spots are.

"We'll look at providing youth with another opportunity other than
more suspensions or hanging out at home or the mall," said Ron
Lawrance, Alouette Addictions' executive director.

When suspended for drug use, the school district's suspension review
panel will evaluate the approach recommended by the student's school
and school counsellor, and will have a hand in determining whether or
not that student is a good candidate for the program.

"Often the provision was they had to seek drug counselling before
coming back," said school board chair Cheryl Ashlie. "That was a
barrier for many students."

Trustees Kathy Marshall, Kathie Ward and Nel Joostema are on the
suspension committee. They and the committee's other members will
receive input from the school and decide the best course of action.

Lawrance said Alouette Addictions requires a consent form from all
parents whose children will be participating.

Called the T2 group, the day program is something unlike anything
Alouette has done for youth in the past.

It consists of self-assessment and working with the organization's
two youth and family counsellors.

Alouette and the school district have been planning T2 since the spring.

A large focus will be not only on the self-assessment, but on
wellness and social responsibility. Youth will meet in Alouette's
youth room, from which T2 gets its name. Written on the walls,
decorated by youth from the community, are scrawled the words "Think Together."

Youth will be able to give their own input to the program so that
they may be able to help themselves.

T2 will run Tuesday through Thursday. Alouette hopes to expand it to
a five-day program with enough personnel to manage it.

Any youths who need help beyond three days are welcome to return and
continue to address their substance abuse issues.

"I think at the end of the year we'll have a much clearer idea" of
what's going on, Lawrance said.

Alouette will track the information they get from the youth, allowing
them to tell what the situation is.

By asking the youth themselves rather than assuming where the
problems lie, they can be better served, Lawrance said.